Yanks 1B Duncan outrighted to Triple-A

NEW YORK -- Shelley Duncan cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Wednesday by the New York Yankees, who then invited him to major league spring training.

The brother of St. Louis outfielder Chris Duncan and son of Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan, Shelley was moved off the 40-man roster last week to make room for first baseman Mark Teixeira, who finalized a $180 million, eight-year contract.

Duncan batted .175 with one homer and six RBIs in 57 at-bats last year for New York and .243 with seven homers and 27 RBIs for Scranton. He separated his shoulder making a diving catch on July 1 in the minors, missed about a month and didn't return to the majors.